Effects of coenzyme Q10, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on oxidation of cholesterol in chicken liver pâté

The aim of this study was to determine whether supplemental addition of coenzyme Q₁₀ and ascorbic acid or α-tocopherol, either alone or together, can prevent oxidative damage in chicken liver pâté, as reflected by reduced formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) and by preservation of sensorial quality. Separate groups of chicken liver pâtés had no supplements (control) or were supplemented with coenzyme Q₁₀ (0.2 g/kg) and either ascorbic acid (2 g/kg) or α-tocopherol (0.2 g/kg), or both. All products were pasteurised (82 °C) or sterilised (121 °C). Four COPs were found: 7α-, 7β-, 20α- and 25-hydroxycholesterol. The COP radical scavenger function of coenzyme Q₁₀ (control, 5.16 mg/kg; plus Q₁₀, 3.94 mg/kg) and the synchronous actions of coenzyme Q₁₀ and α-tocopherol (2.6 mg/kg) were confirmed in sterilised pâtés. Generally, in pasteurised and sterilised pâtés, the most efficient scavenger function was with ascorbic acid either alone or together with α-tocopherol, where the formation of COPs was below the limit of detection. An increase of 1.9 mg/kg in COP production during heating was also seen in samples without added antioxidants. There was a weak interdependence between the content of COPs and the sensory parameters of the pâté. For addition of antioxidants, in the pasteurised pâté, colour and smell were slightly improved, but flavour deteriorated; in the sterilised pâté, colour was slightly worse, with a more tender texture. Overall, instrumentally measured colour and sensory properties (except texture) showed no significant differences between pasteurisation and sterilisation.     

Effects of packaging systems and fat concentrations on microbiology,sensory and physical properties of ground beef stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 25 days

This study evaluated effects of modified atmosphere (MAP, 0.4% carbon monoxide [CO], 30% carbon dioxide, and 69.6% nitrogen), vacuum (VP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging systems and fat levels (10, 20 and 30% fat) on ground beef stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 25 days for microbiology, sensory, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), objective color, headspace and residual CO. As storage time increased, pH decreased (P < 0.05) for MAP and VP and increased (P < 0.05) for PVC. TBARS varied (P < 0.05) among MAP and VP treatments. Except for day 1, CO headspace concentrations were similar among fat concentrations, and residual CO absorption in meat increased (P < 0.05) for all MAP treatments. In all treatments, degree of lightness was similar, redness decreased and brown discoloration increased during storage. As psychrotrophic bacteria counts increased, panelists detected color and off-odor deterioration in all systems. The CO treatment had no effect on maintaining the carboxymyoglobin “cherry red” fresh meat color during meat spoilage.     

Effects of Antimicrobial Edible Coating of Thymol Nanoemulsion/Quinoa Protein/Chitosan on the Safety,Sensorial Properties,and Quality of Refrigerated Strawberries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fragaria × ananassa</Emphasis>) Under Commercial Storage Environment

The effectiveness of the edible coating with thymol nanoemulsion on the safety, sensorial properties, and quality of refrigerated strawberries was investigated under commercial storage conditions. Spontaneous emulsification was used to obtain the thymol nanoemulsion that was included on quinoa protein/chitosan coatings. During the entire storage time, strawberries coated with thymol-antimicrobial packaging had a lower fungal and yeast load compared with the controls (uncoated and coated with quinoa protein/chitosan). The flavour and aroma of the coated strawberries was initially affected, although this sensory appreciation was improved from the fifth day of storage and showed similar scores than the controls, and presenting better aroma score at day 12 of storage. Furthermore, the shelf life of the thymol nanoemulsion-coated strawberries increased in 4 days, unlike that in the both controls. Further, the application of these biocoatings on strawberries significantly decreased the weight loss relative to that in the control, during 16 days of storage at 5 °C and 90% relative humidity, and did not alter the quality parameters (pH, titrable acidity, and percentage of soluble solids). These results suggest that the application of thymol/nanomulsion-loaded edible films is an effective strategy to increase the shelf life of highly perishable products such as strawberries.